Vacuum grooming tool

ABSTRACT

A vacuum grooming tool is disclosed. The tool includes a vacuum nozzle that is attachable to a vacuum source and has a hollow body with a mouth opening and a grooming device spanning the mouth opening. The grooming device can be a variety of standard animal grooming hand tools, such as a shedding blade, comb, rake, brush and dematting tool. The grooming device is positioned relative to the mouth opening such that the air flow created by the vacuum source flows over both sides of the grooming device for more efficient hair removal. A vacuum cleaning tool for removing any animal hair stuck to a grooming tool is also disclosed. The cleaning tool has a vacuum plenum that can be attached to a vacuum source and has an opening wide enough to enable the user to clean the grooming tool in one pass. The cleaning tool can be mounted on a stationary support so that the user can accomplish the cleaning action without having to hold the cleaner by hand. The cleaning tool can also include a pivot-action mechanism that alternately connects the vacuum grooming tool and the cleaning tool to a vacuum source, thereby allowing sharing of the vacuum source and prevent suction in both tools when the grooming tool is being cleaned.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/291,762 filed May 17, 2001.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to animal grooming toolsand more particularly to animal grooming vacuum tools.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Professional animal groomers deal with a large amount of hairduring the grooming process. Hair accumulates on the grooming table,floor, and in the bathing tub. Much of this hair is introduced into theair environment as a result of blow drying, hair stripping, brushing,combing, raking, clipping, shearing, de-shedding, carding, and demattingoperations. Much of this hair is physically handled by the groomer ashe/she manually removes accumulated hair from various hand tools such asslicker brushes, combs, and rakes. In this latter case, the groomer mustuse both hands and either drops extracted hair on the floor or depositssuch into a waste receptacle. During the bathing process, an abundanceof animal hair often finds its way into the drain causing frequentblockage. Most professional grooming shops have plumbing professionalsclean shop bathing drains as frequently as every two weeks as aprecautionary measure.

[0004] Many states employ licensing and/or regulations requiring thatanimal hair be cleaned up after grooming each animal before another canbe groomed at the same workstation. In practice, either hair accumulateson the floor until which time as the groomer decides it must be cleanedup, or it is cleaned up after each animal. Most professional groomersuse a standard wet/dry vacuum to accomplish this clean-up operation.Fewer perform such clean-up with brush, broom and dustpan. Theenvironment containing accumulated hair, dander and pests is recognizedas unhealthy for both humans and animals. Airborne hair and dander isone way of transmitting skin ailments and disease between animals, andallergens to humans, confined in closed spaces.

[0005] Clean-up time can be a substantial portion of the total timeallocated to groom an animal. Most grooming business advisors espousethe need to continuously maintain as clean as possible a groomingenvironment to appease discerning customers.

[0006] Professional groomers often suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome,tendonitis, and other maladies resulting from repetitive motion,particularly repetitive motion that involves strain due to weight orresistance to such motion. Anything that can reduce the number ofrepetitions and/or relieve strain, particularly in using common handtools, can reduce the incidence and severity of such maladies.

[0007] Pet owners often must deal with volumes of hair naturally shed bymany animals. This shed hair accumulates around the home during sheddingseason, creating a general nuisance and requiring more frequent homevacuuming and cleaning.

[0008] One of the problems faced by all groomers is the accumulation ofhair on their hand tools (combs, rakes, brushes, etc.) during use. FIG.9(A) shows a slicker brush before use, and FIG. 9(B) after use. Groomersnormally use their free hand to remove the hair (and with slickerbrushes in particular, presents a relatively arduous, repetitive task).FIG. 9C illustrates that even rakes and combs are affected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention discloses a system of tools which, whenattached to a vacuum source, reduces the need for the tool user(groomer) to manually deal with animal hair accumulating on or in suchtools during use, or manually clean up hair displaced from the animalduring the grooming process. Certain of these tools are used withstandard professional grooming hand tools. Others integrate vacuumplenums into and with standard professional grooming tool functionality.Others yet facilitate the drying of animals. These tools also reduceexposure to animal dander and pests often found in animal coats.

[0010] Features of this system of tools and/or individual tools (asapplicable) include:

[0011] 1. aerodynamic design to allow operation under vacuum applicationwithout significantly contributing to environmental noise;

[0012] 2. ergonomic design to be lightweight and comfortable to use;

[0013] 3. increased efficiency, compared to common grooming tools thatthe invention replaces, as measured in the amount of hair extracted peroperational stroke and/or the elimination of operational strokes, bothof which can directly translate to reduction of repetitive motionactions and the amount of time required to groom an animal;

[0014] 4. the ability to automatically capture most animal hair, dander,and pests that otherwise would be released in the environment as aresult of the grooming process;

[0015] 5. designs comparable to the professional hand tools theinvention replaces in their ability to properly accommodate animal bodycontour(s) and varying types of animal hair;

[0016] 6. the ability to use such tools with a single hand, allowing thegroomer the ability to always keep one hand on the animal being groomed;

[0017] 7. reduction of time devoted to animal drying after bathing;

[0018] 8. reduction of the amount of hair introduced into bath drainsand thereby reducing the incidence of drain clogging resulting fromanimal bathing;

[0019] 9. reduction of the acoustic noise environment, particularlyduring blow drying and clean-up, either in sound pressure level(intensity) reduction or time of exposure to such, or both; and

[0020] 10. design of certain tools to be usable by animal ownersemploying a standard home vacuum cleaner (upright or canister) as thevacuum source.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Other objects and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent upon reading the following detailed description and uponreference to the drawings in which:

[0022]FIG. 1 shows a set of embodiments of the invention in which thevacuum grooming tool includes shedding blade(s);

[0023]FIG. 2 shows the grooming tools shown in FIGS. 1(A), 1(B) and1(C), respectively, in a different perspective;

[0024]FIG. 3 shows a side view of the grooming tools shown in FIG. 2;

[0025]FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the invention, in which thegrooming tool includes a brush;

[0026]FIG. 5 shows another set of embodiments of the invention, in whichthe grooming tool includes a comb;

[0027]FIG. 6(A) shows another embodiment of the invention, in which thegrooming tool includes a rake;

[0028]FIG. 6(B) shows a conventional grooming rake;

[0029]FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the invention, in which thegrooming tool includes a rake;

[0030]FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of the invention, in which thegrooming tool includes a dematting tool;

[0031] FIGS. 9(A), 9(B) and 9(C) show examples of conventional groomingtools;

[0032] FIGS. 9(D) and 9(E) show examples of the vacuuming grooming toolsaccording to the invention in their condition after use;

[0033]FIGS. 10 and 11 show a grooming tool cleaner according to theinvention and examples of various uses of the cleaner; and

[0034]FIGS. 12 and 13 show an articulated cleaner according to an aspectof the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

[0035]FIG. 1D depicts an animal grooming vacuum tool 100 having anintegrated shedding tool blade 110. The device has a suction nozzle 120having an integrally formed suction pipe 122 to connect to a source ofnegative pressure (such as a vacuum). The suction pipe 122 is inphysical communication with a hollow body 124 terminating in anintegrally formed mouth opening 126. In the preferred embodiment, themouth 126 is substantially rectangular and is defined by a first pair ofintegrally formed spaced rectangular walls 128 which are substantiallyparallel to each other and a second pair of integrally formed spacedrectangular walls 130 which are substantially parallel to each other.

[0036] The apparatus has one or more substantially straight stainlesssteel grooming blades 110, illustrated in more detail in FIG. 1(F),disposed within the rectangular mouth opening. Each blade 110 has twoshaped and smoothed ends 112, each end is attached to one of the secondpair of integrally formed spaced rectangular walls 130. Each blade alsohas a serrated edge 114 extending outside the plane of the rectangularmouth opening 126. In multiple blade implementations, such as thoseschematically shown in FIGS. 1(A), 1(B), 1(C) and 1(E) each blade 110 issubstantially parallel to the other blades 110 and to the first pair ofintegrally formed spaced rectangular walls. In addition, the blades 110are positioned to provide an air passage extending from the mouthopening 126 into the hollow body portion 124 of the nozzle 120 betweeneach of the blades 110 and between the blades 110 and the first pair ofintegrally formed spaced rectangular walls 128. Better results areachieved if the animal hair can be sucked down from both sides of theblade 110.

[0037] Although the mouth 126 of the preferred embodiment isrectangular, those skilled in the art will recognize that other mouthshapes such as ovals may be used, so long as the blades 110, in multipleblade devices, are substantially parallel to each other.

[0038] Each blade 110 can be attached to the mouth opening 126 in avariety of ways. For example the blades 110 can be glued to the wallsusing commercially available epoxies. For additional stability,receiving slots can be cut in the nozzle housing to receive the ends ofeach blade 110 or the entire edge of the blade 110 opposite the serratedteeth 114.

[0039] Blades 110 may be constructed out of stainless steel or a plasticblade may be used provided the mold for the serrated edges of such (orpost molding operations) give rise to sharp edges. The ends 112 of theblades are shaped (and may be smoothed) in order to minimize sharpcorners which could cut or scrape an animal's skin when used. Thesetools are designed to be pushed or pulled on the animal's coat, notside-to-side, which could injure the coat or underlying skin.

[0040] The blade can be formed from a substantially straight piece ofthe toothed metal, as opposed to trying to maintain a curve in the metalblade. The blade can be integrated with an upholstery nozzle that doesnot have bristles. The blade can also take the form of any manualshedding blade. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1(G),the blade 140 has faceted teeth 142 with sharply angled channels 144between the teeth 142 and sharp edges 145 for pulling hair. A bladesimilar to a hair clipper blade, with teeth that have cutting edges, canalso be used.

[0041] As illustrated in FIG. 1(H), the orientation of the blade(s) canbe set at an angle 116 relative to the direction of tool motion 118during the intended normal use. Typically, the tool is moved in adirection substantially perpendicular to the rim of the mouth opening126 so that the vacuuming action is the most efficient. The blade can beperpendicular to the tool motion, or deviate from the perpendicularorientation by an angle 116. Typically, the blade is perpendicular orangled away from the tool motion 118.

[0042] FIGS. 2(A), 2(B) and 2(C) as well as FIGS. 3(A), 3(B) and 3(C)depict, respectively, blades having different heights 210, dependingupon the type of animal's coat to be groomed. The angle 220 between thehose attachment point (i.e., suction pipe 122, which serves as thehandle) and blade(s) 110 may vary according to customer preferenceand/or ergonomic design considerations. In the preferred embodiment theblade protrudes between ⅛″ to ⅝″ from the mouth of the nozzle.

[0043] The blade could also be mechanically secured to the mouth using aclip or other fastener. Those skilled in the art will recognize thatusing a mechanical mechanism allows blades to be exchanged.

[0044] The present invention will operate with commercially availablewet/dry and standard vacuum cleaners. The greater suction of the wet/dryvacuum (compared to the upright or canister vacuum) tends to be moreeffective in lifting the animal's coat (its hair), almost to the pointof standing upright within the vacuum tool. Nevertheless, care should betaken to ensure that too much suction is not used. In the event a strongvacuum is used, an adjustable vacuum suction hose can be used to reducethe vacuum pressure.

[0045] Other means can be used to reduce suction. For example, a vacuumwith a variable-speed motor drive can be used to create variablesuction; a vent, with or without a valve, can also be placed on thegrooming tool itself.

[0046] Adequate CFM and vacuum pressure is important. In the preferredembodiment, the vacuum pressure should be at least 40 inches of water ator above 90 CFM. Tools may be fabricated with smaller vacuum orifices toaccommodate less powerful vacuum cleaners. Similarly, larger toolsdesigned for horses and similar large animals may operate best withgreater vacuum pressure and airflow.

[0047]FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show several tools incorporating shedding toolfunctionality into a vacuum nozzle. The number of blades and overalltool size varies depending upon the type and size of animal, and thecharacteristics of the animal's hair. For example, Tool E in FIG. 1 issized for horses and other large animals. The length of the blade 110 istypically a few inches in the preferred embodiment, but may be builtlarger or smaller to suit the intended use. An example of where asmaller tool may be of value would be one for small dogs andparticularly legs of dogs generally. For such a purpose, a toolapproximately 1 to 2 in. wide may prove most useful.

[0048]FIG. 4 discloses an alternate embodiment using a pin brush 410instead of one or more blades. The pin brush 410 has a large number ofplastic or metal wire pins 420 held by base 430. Base 430 may be rigidor flexible. The pins allow air flow from a vacuum to suck hair throughthe slots 440 formed in the base 430 and the mouth 126 of the device.

[0049] The slot configuration of this design also aids blow drying. Theslots 440 allow airflow created by the vacuum to help suck hair (andfleas, ticks, dirt, etc.) up into the brush while brushing and toevacuate loosened hair and moisture. Note that hair may wrap around thebrush pins (more than the shedding blade) and require additionalprocedures to remove the hair. Airflow may be induced in reverse(connected to the blower output of a vacuum cleaner for example) tofurther aid blow drying while brushing the animal.

[0050] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the slot size,shape, number and length of pins may all vary depending on the animal'shair length and the required amount of brushing or drying assistance.Overall size may also vary depending on the size of the animal. Insteadof brush pins, bristles can also be used in the embodiment shown in FIG.4.

[0051]FIG. 5 discloses an alternate embodiment using combs 510, 530 and560 instead of a blade. Three styles of vacuum combs are shown,respectively. Two (FIGS. 5(A) and 5(B)) of the depicted embodiments areintended to be used like a rake (moved fore and aft). Pulling the rakeworks better than pushing. The third vacuum comb (FIG. 5(C)) is designedto be used more like a traditional comb (moved sideways).

[0052] In all cases, airflow (created by vacuum) flows around both sidesof the comb to suck hair up into the comb and evacuate loosened hair(along with dirt, dander, fleas, ticks, etc.). The combs may beconstructed of metal or plastic. Comb length and pitch (number of teethper inch), may be varied according to personal preference and the typeand length of hair on the animal to be groomed. Hair will accumulate inthe teeth during use, requiring removal. Size may vary also (length ofteeth) depending on personal preference and the size of the animal.

[0053]FIGS. 6 and 7 depict rakes 610 and 710, respectively, of theinvention. Conventional rakes, such as the one shown in FIG. 6(B), areused for some dog breeds. FIG. 7 shows a double row rake integrated intoa vacuum hand tool, creating a vacuum rake in accordance with thepresent invention. Shown in FIG. 6(A) is a single row Teflon coated rakeof the invention. Again, vacuum causes airflow around the rake so tosuck up hair, dirt, fleas, ticks, etc. into the tool. Preferably, airflow would also flow between the rows of the double row rake 710. Thedevices were made using metal rakes (some Teflon coated), but can bemade of any suitable material, such as metal and plastic. The number ofteeth, pitch, length of rake, and length of rake tangs may vary,according to the preferences of the user and breed of animal to begroomed. The rake tangs could be made of plastic. In use, hair willbuild up in the tangs, requiring removal.

[0054]FIG. 8 depicts two vacuum dematting tools. Dematting tools usuallyhave replaceable blades 820, 860 that are very sharp for cutting hair.The purpose is to cut through hair mats, somewhat shredding such inorder to allow a comb to effectively run through the hair. Blades arereplaceable in both cases but need not be in either. Air (from thevacuum) flows around both sides of the blades 820, 860 (the cutting andnon-cutting edges), and in one case between the blades 860. A thumb rest870 is shown on the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8(B). Blades arereversible to accommodate both right and left-handed users. Blades mightbe made of plastic. Cut hair may accumulate in the blades during use,requiring removal.

[0055] As mentioned above, and illustrated as examples in FIGS. 9(D) and9(E), the animal hair may accumulate in the tool of the invention duringuse. FIGS. 10 through 13 depict devices that are used to removeaccumulated hair from tools during use, thereby eliminating the need forusing ones fingers to do so.

[0056] One embodiment is a static vacuum cleaner 1000 shown in FIGS. 10and 11. A vacuum source (not shown) is adapted to a cleaner head 1010having an opening 1020 at least the size (length) of most tools. Theother dimension (width) is such that maximum airflow is created, yet theopening is adequate to easily accommodate any of the non-brush tools.

[0057] Brush tools are cleaned across the cleaner opening 1020,providing mechanical scrubbing action to facilitate the vacuum action.Non-brush tools are merely held in the vacuum cleaner opening 1020.

[0058] Disconnecting the source of vacuum from the vacuum tool beforeattempting to remove hair from the tool with the vacuum cleanertypically makes hair removal from said tool easier and more complete(vacuum sources and resultant airflow don't compete).

[0059]FIGS. 12 and 13 show one of many possible implementations of anarticulated tool cleaner 1200 according to one aspect of the invention.The tool cleaner 1200 can be activated by placing the tool to be cleanedonto the cleaner opening 1220 of a movable vacuum plenum 1210 andpressing down, causing rotation of the cleaner about a pivot 1230 heldin place by channels effectuating a rotational sliding mechanism similarto the action of a standard linear motion blast gate. This rotationeffectively switches the vacuum source from a vacuum tool to thecleaner, allowing both the vacuum tool and cleaner to share the samevacuum source, but not simultaneously. This switches the vacuum off tothe connected vacuum tool and on to the cleaner, such that the airflowthrough the cleaner does not have to compete with any vacuum or airflowthrough the tool to be cleaned (wiped). If a brush is used, the brush iswiped across the cleaner opening, (while pressing down) providingmechanical assistance to assist the vacuum in removing hair. Releasingthe downward force causes a spring to return the cleaner to the originalposition (via counter-rotation about the pivot point).

[0060] An auxiliary vacuum device 1250 (AVD), shown in FIG. 12(B) isdesigned to split the vacuum source to it in order to provide vacuumoutlets 1270 to either side of the movable vacuum plenum 1210. Thisprovides flexibility in mounting the entire unit. The unused outlet portis plugged in normal operation. One of the many alternatives readilyappreciated by one skilled in the art is a simple pipe “elbow” (notshown), providing tool attachment on only one side of the movable vacuumplenum 1210. Such pipe elbow could also be configured such that it couldbe rotated to provide tool attachment on either side of the movablevacuum plenum 1210.

[0061] Mechanical articulation and rotation can be minimized oreliminated by using a pressure or other switch to activate pneumatic(even vacuum-driven) or electrical motorized opening and closing ofrespective valves to achieve the same function as that described above.

[0062] In the preferred embodiment, the articulated brush scrubber ismade up of the following: a fixed 2-¼″ vacuum plenum 1280, to whichvacuum is continuously supplied; a moveable vacuum plenum 1210, whichrotates up and down around a fixed pivot point 1230. One end of themoveable vacuum plenum 1210 has an opening 1220 having a width justlarger than the width of the tool to be cleaned. The other end of themoveable vacuum plenum has a sliding vacuum seal 1290 (shown in FIG.13(B) sealing off the fixed vacuum plenum).

[0063] The device is activated by pushing the moveable vacuum plenum1210 down with the tool to be cleaned. This action, as illustrated inFIG. 13(C), rotates the sliding vacuum seal 1290 off the fixed vacuumplenum 1280 and simultaneously rotates the previously open end of themoveable vacuum plenum 1210 to engage a seal with the fixed vacuumplenum 1280. This causes air flow through the moveable vacuum plenum1210. It also stops or reduces air flow through the AVD 1250. The devicebeing cleaned is then pushed across or inserted into the open end 1220of the moveable vacuum plenum 1210 to release trapped hair, which issucked up by the moveable vacuum plenum 1210, through the seal betweenmoveable and fixed vacuum plenums and on to a vacuum source.

[0064] At the completion of the cleaning motion, pressure on themoveable vacuum plenum 1210 by the device being cleaned is released bylifting the device being cleaned off. A return spring 1282 biases themoveable vacuum plenum 1210 back to the stalling position, sealing offthe vacuum from the fixed vacuum plenum 1280 to the moveable vacuumplenum 1210 and restoring full vacuum to the AVD 1250. This device couldbe used with any standard grooming tool as well as any of the vacuumtools (with vacuum still running to such). In the case of a sheddingblade, comb, rake, or dematting tool, the tool would be cleared oftrapped hair simply by engaging the open end of the moveable vacuumplenum, pushing both down. No aft-fore motion of the tool would berequired—the trapped hair would be just sucked off. As for a non-vacuumassisted slicker, bristle or pin brush, wiping motion of a pin brushstyle vacuum tool would facilitate clearing of hair from the pins.Cleaning a vacuum tool connected to its vacuum source via the AVD1250gains the benefit of having its vacuum supply automatically stopped orreduced through such engagement of the open end of the movable vacuumplenum, effectively disconnecting the AVD 1250, and hence the source ofvacuum to the vacuum tool from fixed vacuum plenum 1280.

[0065] In the preferred embodiment, the device has a sufficient seal sothat leakage is not a significant source of noise. Also, the sealremains adequate throughout many cycles. In addition the vacuum plenumsare designed with aerodynamically smooth inner surfaces to avoidgeneration of noise. Finally, the entire tool cleaner is designed as asingle unit that can easily be attached (with screws, etc.) to eitherthe top or bottom of a grooming table 1302, or to a wall so to provideeasy, natural access to such by any tool held in a groomer's hand.

[0066] With this implementation, a vacuum source could easily be sharedbetween the tool cleaner and vacuum tools. Doing so may even make bothtools work better. Full vacuum would be available to the vacuum toolwhen grooming. Activation of the tool cleaner would release some or allof the vacuum from the vacuum tool, making it that much easier for thetool cleaner to suck trapped hair off the vacuum tool. Full vacuum wouldbe restored to the vacuum tool upon release of the tool cleaner. All ofthis action is accomplished with just the one hand holding the tool thatis to be “scrubbed” of hair.

we claim:
 1. An animal grooming tool, comprising: (a) a vacuum nozzlehaving a hollow body terminating in a mouth opening and attachable to avacuum source, and (b) a grooming device spanning the mouth opening, thegrooming device having two sides and positioned to allow air flowcreated by the vacuum source to flow over both sides of the groomingdevice.
 2. The animal grooming tool of claim 1, wherein the hollow bodyincludes a wall surrounding the mouth opening, and the grooming deviceis attached to the wall.
 3. The animal grooming tool of claim 2, whereinthe grooming device includes a grooming blade having a serrated edge. 4.The animal grooming tool of claim 3, wherein the grooming blade includesa shedding blade.
 5. The animal grooming tool of claim 1, wherein thegrooming device includes a comb.
 6. The animal grooming tool of claim 1,wherein the grooming device includes a rake.
 7. The animal grooming toolof claim 1, wherein the grooming device includes a brush.
 8. The animalgrooming tool of claim 7, wherein the brush includes a pin brush havinga base and a plurality of pins extending from the base, the basedefining at least a hole permitting air flow created by the vacuumsource through the hole.
 9. The animal grooming tool of claim 1, whereinthe grooming device is a dematting tool.
 10. The animal grooming tool ofclaim 3, further comprising an additional blade, wherein the blades arespaced apart and substantially parallel to each other.
 11. The animalgrooming tool of claim 1, further comprising a vacuum source having avacuum port and a blower port, the two ports being alternatelyattachable to the vacuum nozzle.
 12. The animal grooming tool of claim1, wherein the vacuum nozzle defines a vent on the hollow body forreducing suction at the mouth opening.
 13. The animal grooming tool ofclaim 12, further comprising a valve positioned to regulate air flowthrough the vent.
 14. An animal grooming system, comprising: (a) theanimal grooming tool of claim 1, wherein; and (b) a grooming toolcleaning head having a nozzle attachable to a vacuum source, the nozzlehaving an opening positionable in proximity to the grooming device suchthat animal hair attached to the grooming device can be removed from thegrooming device by air flow generated by the vacuum device that thecleaning head nozzle is attached to.
 15. The system of claim 14, furthercomprising a switch attached to the nozzle of the grooming tool and thenozzle of the cleaning head and configured to place the nozzles inalternate fluid communication with a vacuum source.
 16. The system ofclaim 15, wherein the switch comprises: (a) a first support; (b) a firstport mounted on the support; (c) a second and third ports in respectivefluid communication with the nozzles, and alternately positionable to bein fluid communication with the first port.
 17. The system of claim 16,wherein the second and third ports are mounted on a second support thatis pivotally movable between two positions with respect to the firstsupport, wherein the first port is in fluid communication with thesecond port when the second support is in the first of the twopositions, and with the third port when the second support is in thesecond of the two positions.
 18. A vacuum cleaning tool cleaner,comprising: a grooming tool cleaning head having a nozzle attachable toa vacuum source, the nozzle having an opening positionable in proximityto a grooming device such that animal hair attached to the groomingdevice can be removed from the grooming device by air flow generated bythe vacuum device that the cleaning head nozzle is attached to; and aswitch attached to the nozzle of the grooming tool and the nozzle of thecleaning head and configured to place the nozzles in alternate fluidcommunication with a vacuum source.
 19. A vacuum cleaning tool,comprising a grooming tool cleaning head having a nozzle attachable to avacuum source, the nozzle having an opening positionable in proximity toa surface of a grooming device such that animal hair attached to thesurface can be removed from the grooming device by air flow generated bythe vacuum device that the cleaning head nozzle is attached to, thecleaning head being mounted on a stationary support, whereby animal hairattached to the grooming device can be removed from the grooming devicesurface without an operator holding the cleaning tool by hand, whereinthe opening is at least as large as one dimension of the grooming devicesurface, whereby the surface can be cleaned in a single pass.
 20. Thecleaning tool of claim 19, wherein the cleaning head is pivotallymounted on the stationary support.